Final answer:
To achieve their vacation goal of $5,500 in 3 years, the Kelsch's should make periodic sinking fund payments of approximately $308.57 using the formula for sinking fund calculation.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the sinking fund payment, we can use the sinking fund formula:
S = (P * r * (1 + r)n) / ((1 + r)n - 1)
Where:
- S is the sinking fund payment
- P is the future value or goal amount ($5,500)
- r is the interest rate per period (6% divided by 4)
- n is the number of periods (3 years divided by 3 months)
Plugging in the values, we get:
S = (5500 * (0.06/4) * (1 + 0.06/4)3 * 4) / ((1 + 0.06/4)3 * 4 - 1)
S = 308.57
So, the periodic sinking fund payment should be approximately $308.57.